Story ID: 
Universal Aviation Expands in Dominican Republic
By: Curt Epstein
Caption: Universal has established three new ground handling offices in Dominican Republic, ahead of an anticipated busy private aviation travel season.
Word Count: 228
With the continuing rise in private leisure aviation, Universal Aviation anticipates strong traffic to the Dominican Republic for the holiday season. As a result, the Houston, Texas-based trip support provider has expanded its footprint there through its partnership with local ground handler, Aviam.  

Universal has established three new ground handling offices in the country—at Puerto Plata (MDPP), Samaná (MDCY), and Santo Domingo (MDJB)—joining its existing locations at La Romana (MDJB) and Punta Cana (MDCP). The latest additions give the company 23 offices throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.

Currently, the island is experiencing more private flights than it did before the pandemic and shows no signs of a let-up, according to Danilo Rosario Jiménez, Universal’s in-country director. “Before the pandemic, the Dominican Republic was gaining popularity for private aviation,” said Jiménez, adding that instead of curtailing that growth, Covid has only accelerated it. “Tourism is booming and the Dominican Republic has become one of the most sought-after private aviation leisure destinations in the world.”

He noted that the government of the Dominican Republic has “done an excellent job in creating a safe environment for tourism in spite of Covid,” and based upon the company’s current travel requests, Universal anticipates a highly active vacation season for the country, as well as for the region in general.